Orchard in Winter

[michaelb]

Haven't posted anything here in a while. Here's a shot I took yesterday with the 17-70, hope you enjoy it......

[coldrain]

It is a very beautiful photo, Michael. Nice atmosphere.

[adam75south]

i like the atmosphere. very cool.

[Dawoofo]

Very nice! Love the haze on the more distant trees too.

[D Thompson]

Michael - very nice shot. Good use of lines with the front row of trees diminishing in the distance. I think this is a strong candidate for b&w. Hang this one on the wall. Great job and thanks for sharing.

[michaelb]

Thanks for all the comments.

I took the above shot while hand holding a 2 stop rectangular ND grad filter in front of the lens. This ND grad filter has turned out to be one of my most useful purchases.

Here is a similar shot without the ND grad (too much dynamic range - photo is blown in top left).....(You can see how the ND grad makes the above shot work).....

You can also combine exposures in PP, but I prefer using the ND grad - its simple and I don't have to use a tripod if I don't want to.

[noyjimi]

i like it.

so if a tree falls in an orchard, and there is no photographer to capture it, does it still make quite a scene?

[cwphoto]

I always look forward to seeing your work Michael, another class act.

[michaelb]

I always look forward to seeing your work Michael, another class act.

Thank you for the kind comments. Nice review of the MarK III by the way.

[Prospero]

Very nice shot Michael, I love the simplicity and the use of the filter. That technique is indeed easier than exposure blending (I'm experimenting a lot with that at the moment). I think I'll buy such a filter myself this year.

[michaelb]

Very nice shot Michael, I love the simplicity and the use of the filter. That technique is indeed easier than exposure blending (I'm experimenting a lot with that at the moment). I think I'll buy such a filter myself this year.

I would highly recommend it.....I do alot of landscape photography and it may be the most useful purchase I've made this year (aside from my 10-22, or course!!:D ).
Here is another shot that I could not have taken as a single exposure without the ND grad....

[toriaj]

I have never seriously considered using a filter before, but your shots are converting me! They are beautiful. But being a complete newbie to the subject ...

Does a graduated filter have stronger filtering on one half (such as to be used for the sky?) In that case, is it difficult to use on a lens that has a rotating front element? Is a non-graduated or polarizing filter better for rotating front elements? Do they perform the same function as a graduated filter?

Thanks in advance for your advice. These pictures are amazing.

[Wesan]

I have a dumb question too. :o

The ND filter you used, is it a kind of polarizing filter, or is it another kind of filter? I think I read somewhere before, that an ND filter is a filter that is dark grey, but does not work as a polarizer. Am I right?

Would it be possible to achieve the same effect, as with the ND filter, by just changing the exposure when you take the photo? Like changing the exposure compensation to -0.33, for example?

Oh...I guess that was TWO dumb questions! :D

[cwphoto]

I have a dumb question too. :o

The ND filter you used, is it a kind of polarizing filter, or is it another kind of filter? I think I read somewhere before, that an ND filter is a filter that is dark grey, but does not work as a polarizer. Am I right?

Would it be possible to achieve the same effect, as with the ND filter, by just changing the exposure when you take the photo? Like changing the exposure compensation to -0.33, for example?

Oh...I guess that was TWO dumb questions! :D

ND is just a neutral grey, ie; transmits equal amounts of the visible spectrum - just cut down by say 50% or whatever.

The graduated part means it changes density from top to bottom (or from centre to edge in the case of a centre grad).

Dialing in an EC will affect the entire image so won't give the same result.

[zmikers]

I have never seriously considered using a filter before, but your shots are converting me! They are beautiful. But being a complete newbie to the subject ...

Does a graduated filter have stronger filtering on one half (such as to be used for the sky?) In that case, is it difficult to use on a lens that has a rotating front element? Is a non-graduated or polarizing filter better for rotating front elements? Do they perform the same function as a graduated filter?

Thanks in advance for your advice. These pictures are amazing.

It is a rectangular filter, so you can use an adapter to fit it on the front of the lens, which I find very inconvenient and is why I rarely use this filter, or do as Michael did and just hand hold it infront of the lens.

Michael, that is such a great idea. My Grad ND has been stuck in my bag as I hate fitting on the adapter ring. This is going to change my "view" on the Grad ND filter. Thanks for the tip...........Sorry about the pun there LOL :p Amazing shots by the way, both of them. You humble me completely!

[michaelb]

I have never seriously considered using a filter before, but your shots are converting me! They are beautiful. But being a complete newbie to the subject ...

Does a graduated filter have stronger filtering on one half (such as to be used for the sky?) In that case, is it difficult to use on a lens that has a rotating front element? Is a non-graduated or polarizing filter better for rotating front elements? Do they perform the same function as a graduated filter?

Thanks in advance for your advice. These pictures are amazing.

Thanks in advance for your advice. These pictures are amazing.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the comments! In response to your questions, I use three types of filters:

1. Circular polarizing filter. I use my CP quite a bit. It reduces water reflection, but I like it especially for enhancing skies, especially clouds. They are also great for folliage. They are easiest to use on a lens with a non-rotating front element, but I used to use one on my 18-55 kit lens which has a rotating front element - I would focus first and then adjust the CP (you can rotate it to change the effect). I have on CP filter (77mm) and use step-up rings with my other lenses.

2. ND filter. I have a 2 stop ND filter. I don't use it as much as my other filters.....I use it primarily to shoot moving water, especially waterfalls. It allows you to use a slow shutter speed so that the water has that "dreamy" look to it.

3. ND graduated filters. Roughly half is dark and half is clear. These are available in round filters, but they are useless as you can't adust the light/dark line - its always in the center.
Buy a large rectangular one which you can use with a special holder (such as the Cokin P holder.) However, I prefer to simply hand hold the filter in front of the lens; I find the holder causes vinegetting with ultra wide angle lenses.

Also, ND grad filters come in 2 basic types - "hard" edge and "soft" edge - the soft edge has a more gentle transition between the dark and clear areas.
If you are going to get one I would recommend a Hitech 2 stop hard edge ND grad, which was what was recommended to me. Here is where I got mine:
http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html


Here are a few shots taken with a CP. The first two shots were taken with a CP. Using a CP with wide angle lenses can give you an uneven sky (as in the first shot), so you have to be careful, but sometimes I like the effect....

The third and fourth shots are nearly identical, the first taken without the CP and the second with the CP....look at the difference in the water, rocks and the sky. The shot with the CP has more saturated colors and you can see the rocks better through the water - also the sky is a darker blue.

I hope all of this helps you.

[michaelb]

It is a rectangular filter, so you can use an adapter to fit it on the front of the lens, which I find very inconvenient and is why I rarely use this filter, or do as Michael did and just hand hold it infront of the lens.

Michael, that is such a great idea. My Grad ND has been stuck in my bag as I hate fitting on the adapter ring. This is going to change my "view" on the Grad ND filter. Thanks for the tip...........Sorry about the pun there LOL :p Amazing shots by the way, both of them. You humble me completely!

I learned this tip on a forum and its so much easier than using a holder, especially with my 10-22, where I get vinegetting with a holder.

[toriaj]

Thanks, Michael. That helps a lot. I've bookmarked the page for the filter :D

[Sungrazer]

I learned this tip on a forum and its so much easier than using a holder, especially with my 10-22, where I get vinegetting with a holder.

It's harder to get exact positioning by handholding it though. Although there are larger filters available to help with this (Z size?).

Also, Cokin makes a wide angle holder, which has just the one filter slot instead of three, to avoid vignetting. It was like $13 or something. I don't use multiple filters at the same time, so the wide angle holder is the only one I use, on all my lenses.

[Sungrazer]

Is a non-graduated or polarizing filter better for rotating front elements? Do they perform the same function as a graduated filter?

To add to the answers above, a polarizer can also function as a two stop neutral density filter (screw on, non graduated).

[achuang]

I'm going to have a look at graduated ND filters today after uni. I've always thought they'd be good for landscape photos but thought they would be a pain. But if it means less time at the computer then I'd invest in one. Making HDR photos is so much more work than one of these filters. So you recommend a hard edge 2 stop filter? Hard edge because most of your landscapes have a horizon line where there is quite a difference in EV value? Is a 2 stop filter a good medium because most scenes are around that, or would a 1 or 3 stop be better?

Great photos Michael, I'm spending more money because of you. :p

[adam75south]

i really appreciate the filter tutorial michael. i remember asking you once how you got your skies so blue and never got a chance to follow up on the question...i tried to go back and find the thread but couldn't.

[Sungrazer]

So you recommend a hard edge 2 stop filter? Hard edge because most of your landscapes have a horizon line where there is quite a difference in EV value? Is a 2 stop filter a good medium because most scenes are around that, or would a 1 or 3 stop be better?

You probably addressed this to Michael but hopefully you won't mind me piping in. I bought a single two stop soft grad to start. Before buying it I did some research to see what might be the most useful grad filter. And of course it's different for everybody. But among the soft edges, it seemed like the two stop got a little more use over the three; and among the hard edges, the three over the two. But again, your mileage may vary. I'm still determining mine.

[michaelb]

It's harder to get exact positioning by handholding it though. Although there are larger filters available to help with this (Z size?).

Also, Cokin makes a wide angle holder, which has just the one filter slot instead of three, to avoid vignetting. It was like $13 or something. I don't use multiple filters at the same time, so the wide angle holder is the only one I use, on all my lenses.


I considered the Cokin Z-holder, but its not cheap - here it is at Adorama for $43, plus $27 for the 77mm adaptor ring.....that's $80!!
http://www.adorama.com/CKBPZ.html?searchinfo=cokin%20holder&item_no=6

The Hitech filter is huge (107mm long) so I fiind it fairly easy to handhold, even with the 10-22. For long exposures on a tripod this might be tricky though, although I have spoke with some people more who are much more talented than me who do this all the time.....some people even "jiggle" the filter slightly during the exposure to further blur the edge between light and dark.

[michaelb]

One more filter example......1st shot WITHOUT ND grad, 2nd shot WITH ND grad.

[Elisha82]

i have a ND Grad and a regular ND sitting here....i will definitely give it a shot when the weather gets better.

[adam75south]

One more filter example......1st shot WITHOUT ND grad, 2nd shot WITH ND grad.

hey michael is that with a hard edge or soft edge nd grad? also what size are you using? 4x4?

[achuang]

I just picked up a Cokin P series 2 stop graduated ND filter today, with the wide angle holder that just holds one filter. It's amazing how expensive the stepping ring is, more expensive than the holder.
The filter is in between a hard and soft edge filter, so I hope it's good for general use.

[michaelb]

hey michael is that with a hard edge or soft edge nd grad? also what size are you using? 4x4?

I would recommend starting with a Hitech 2 stop (0.6) hard edge ND grad filter; Hithech's hard edge is softer than other brands. This is what was recommended to me by an accomplished landscape photographer and it has been perfect for me.

I have heard that Hitech filters are better quality than Cokin ones; mine seems very high quality. The Hitech filter is rectangular and is 107mm long.

http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

[Sungrazer]

Here's another link that may be helpful:

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/neutral-density-and-graduated-nd.html